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Fluid mosaic is a term used to describe the current model of the cell membrane. Cell membranes are basically double layers (bilayers) of molecules called phospholipids. 'Floating' in the phospholipid bilayer are molecules of protein. a mosaic is a structure made up of many different parts. Viewed from above the membrane would look something like a mosaic - a 'sea' of lipid with many 'islands' of protein. The lipid bilayer is not rigid, and the lipid and protein molecules are able to move sideways in the membrane ie the membrane is fluid. This model of the cell membrane was proposed by Singer and Nicolson in 1972, and has been suported by many experiments since then. For further details see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_membrane http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/BioBookCELL2.html

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What term describes the structure of a cell plasma membrane because of its oily nature embedded proteins?

fluid mosaic


Which model of the plasma membrane is currently the most accepted?

The fluid mosaic model is currently the most accepted model of the plasma membrane. It describes the plasma membrane as a dynamic structure composed of a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that are able to move and interact within the membrane.


What scientist developed the fluid mosaic model?

The Fluid-Mosaic-Model describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components that gives the membrane a fluid character. The founders are S.J. Singer and Garth L. Nicolson.


Fluid mosaic model of a cell membrane?

Its called "the fluid mosaic model" of the cell membrane. This describes the clumping together of phospholipids to form rafts and their motion (along with single phospholipids) throughout the membrane.


What term describes the structure of a cell plasma membrane because of its oily nature and embedded proteins?

The term used to describe the plasma membrane because of it's oily nature and embedded proteins is the fluid-mosaic model.The plasma membrane that surrounds each cell has two layers of phospholipids (fat with phosphorous attached).Each phospholipid molecule has a head that is attracted to water (hydrophilic) and a tail that repels water (hydrophobic) . Both the layers of the plasma membrane have the hydrophilic ends pointing to the outside forming the outer layer of the plasma membrane and the hydrophobic tails pointing inside and forming the inner layer of the plasma membrane.Proteins and substances such as cholesterol become embedded in the bi-layer of the plasma membrane giving it a mosaic look.At body temperature the plasma membrane has a liquid consistency like the vegetable oil and proteins and other substances are able to move across the plasma membrane. Due to this reason the plasma membrane is described using the term fluid-mosaic model.

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What does the word mosaic refers to in the fluid mosaic?

The term "mosaic" in the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane refers to the diverse and dynamic arrangement of different molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, that make up the structure of the membrane. Just like tiles in a mosaic artwork, these molecules are arranged in a pattern that allows for flexibility and fluidity in the membrane's structure and function.


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What term describes the structure of a cell membrane because of its oily nature and embedded proteins?

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What term describes the structure of cell plasma because of its oily nature and embedded proteins?

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What term describes the structure of a cell plasma membrane because of a oily nature and embedded proteins?

fluid mosaic


What term describes the structure of a cell plasma membrane because of its oily nature and embedding proteins?

Fluid Mosaic


What term describes structure of a cell plasma membrane because it it and oily nature embedded proteins?

fluid mosaic


What term describes the structure of a cell plasma membrane because of its oily nature and embedded nature?

fluid mosaic


What term describes the structure of a cell plasma membrane because of its oily nature and embebbed proteins?

fluid mosaic


What term describes the structure of a cell plasma membrane because of it and oily nature and embedded proteins?

fluid mosaic